Scoring in North Russia

26 January 2002, 08:57 AM

Has any research been done on the RAF scoribg in North Russia 1919? I know that Collishaw added one to his score, and Kinkead apparently between three and ten, and Daly four. The American Aten claimed five, but apparently there is doubt about them, as he isn't on the US ace list on this web site.
Anyone out there have more info on this campaign, and the exploits of the above-mentioned flyers?

Frank_Olynyk · 26 January 2002, 12:41 PM

As far as I know there were no claims by any British unit in North Russia (Murmansk and Archangel). The only claims I am aware of are by 47 Squadron in South Russia (north of the Crimea), which is where Collishaw, Kinkead and Aten served. While Aten did receive a DFC, no citation was published, and I could not find one in the files at the PRO. His aceosity rests on "Last Train Over Rostov Bridge" (apparently used by Robert Jackson as his source for his book on post-war operations in Russia, which was then used by Norman Franks for the list of victories in

Above the Trenches). "Last Train" describes five victories without specific dates, in the April-May 1919 period. However, the ORB, which I did find in the PRO states that he arrived at 47 Squadron, from London, on August 18, 1919. Several of the 47 Squadron DFC citations from South Russia are in the PRO, and mostly relate to the repulse of a Red cavalry attack against White forces, late in 1919 (Sept/Oct?) which I believe Aten participated in.

Frank.

26 January 2002, 01:42 PM

Thanks,Frank... sorry about the North Russia-South Russia mixup.

leo · 28 January 2002, 11:27 AM

Aviation in North Russia would have been a difficult proposition. During the winter months, the airplanes might well have been frozen up.

insignia · 28 January 2002, 12:34 PM

You might like to know that I have seen some photos of the RAF in Russia taken in 1919 on eBay earlier today. Item number 1068410898.
Cheers Hylton

spad · 29 January 2002, 05:41 AM

a while ago i read ( i think in a book by Robert Jackson) that the Russian ace Kozakov (serving with the RAF) claimed an M-9 seaplane in North Russian. No dates were given and no subsequent confirmation in sources i have read.

Beerdrinker · 9 February 2002, 04:23 PM

Coolishaw never was downed during WWI, but was shot down some days after arrival in North Russia by unknown Soviet pilot. It is everything, that I know about this.

9 February 2002, 04:40 PM

Persons with access to JOURNAL OF THE CANADIAN AVIATION HISTORICAL SOCIETY might wish to consult Volume 29 No.2 (Summer 1991) for article by J.F. Ryan, "Canadian Airmen in South Russia, 1918-1920." This in turn is based on numerous other sources, all of which are identified in footnotes. There is also an extensive bibliography.

MikeW · 10 February 2002, 04:00 AM

Beerdrinker,

I know it's veering off topic slightly, but Collishaw was certainly downed a couple of times in WW1. If we're being charitable, I suppose you could call it driven down or partially out of control. In Russia he was downed, not by another pilot, but by a nasty bug - can't remember offhand whether it was typhus or cholora - Hugh?

Beerdrinker · 14 February 2002, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Beerdrinker,

I know it's veering off topic slightly, but Collishaw was certainly downed a couple of times in WW1. If we're being charitable, I suppose you could call it driven down or partially out of control. In Russia he was downed, not by another pilot, but by a nasty bug - can't remember offhand whether it was typhus or cholora - Hugh?

Dear MikeW
Quite probably. I shall not negate. For us in a north of Russia a severe climate. Simply on this subject there is a lot of discordant information.
Sincerely yours,
Pavel